What is Assistive or Adaptive Technology (AT)?

The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 refers to it as "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities..."

What are the Uses of Assistive Technologies?

Assistive Technology has been used in education to facilitate academic skill development and to enable students to fully access the educational program. It could be any item or piece of equipment that can be used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities in different aspects of life, which may include activities at school, at work, at home, and even in the individual’s interaction with the community.

As the term “assistive” implies, Assistive Technologies help individuals to perform functions that could have been otherwise difficult or impossible without it. These technologies can include mobility devices like walkers and wheelchairs, as well as hardware, software, and peripherals that assist individuals with disabilities in accessing computers or other information technologies. In the education sector for example, people with difficulty reading may use a text-to-speech software program. Those with low vision can make use of software that enlarges contents on the computer screen to make them readable.

What are the Different Classes of Assistive Technologies?

Assistive Technologies range from low tech to high tech devices or equipment as follows:

Low Tech AT – These are devices or equipment that don't require much training, they can be less expensive and do not have complex or mechanical features. For example:

• handheld magnifiers • large print text • using paper and pen to communicate • canes or walkers • things that can be used to reach or grab items • specialized pen or pencil grips and much more

Middle Tech AT = These are devices or equipment that may have some complex features, it could electronic or battery operated, it may require some training to learn how to use it and may be more costly than the low-tech devices. Some examples include:

• talking spell checkers • manual wheelchairs • electronic organizers • Closed Caption Televisions (CCTV’s) • amplifiers • books on CDs, or in Kindle readers• environmental control units (ECU) • alternate mouse or keyboard for the computer

High Tech AT – This refers to the more complex devices that have digital or electronic components, may be computerized, and will likely require training and effort to learn how to use and cost the most. Examples include:

• power wheelchairs or scooters • digital hearing aids • computers with specialized software such as voice recognition or

magnification software • electronic aids to daily living • digital hands-free headsets • voice activated telephones • communication devices with voices • bluetooth integration • digi-drive technology (operating a vehicle with a joystick)

For consultation on Practical Assistive Technology and Professional Development on Special Education for the management of individuals with LDs, visit www.PracticalATSolutions.com.

Other article you will find interesting: Some Facts You Need to Know About Learning Disabilities (LD)